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Here's my story:

At the Age of 12, I was diagnosed with Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD).

GHD affects 1 in 100,000 adults and 2 in 100,000 children. In the UK, it affects 3 in 10,000 adults and 1 in 3,800 births.

What is growth hormone deficiency in children?
Growth hormone (GH) deficiency is when the pituitary gland doesn't make enough growth hormone. GH is needed to stimulate growth of bone and other tissues. This condition can occur at any age. GH deficiency does not affect a child's intelligence.

What causes GH deficiency in a child?
GH deficiency can be caused by damage to the pituitary gland or another gland called the hypothalamus. The injury can occur before birth (congenital), or during or after birth (acquired). 

The pituitary gland is a pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain. It’s the master endocrine gland in the body. The pituitary gland normally releases as many as 8 different hormones. These hormones control growth, metabolism, blood pressure, and other body processes.

In rare cases, GH deficiency can be part of a genetic syndrome. In many cases, the cause of GH deficiency is not known (idiopathic).

Source (and for more information), please visit: https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions---pediatrics/g/growth-hormone-deficiency-in-children.html

I was on daily injections for 3 years and then again for 2 years. That's 1,825 shots. These injections cost around £10,000 a year.  It did add 14 inches to my height but it was a difficult journey because my treatment started late.

This is why I will be going the extra mile this November by taking part in our workplace challenge, MOVEmber. Thanks to my wonderful cousin, Khrisha for inspiring me to do this. I hope to walk at least 40 miles this month which may not seem like a lot but whilst working from home, I have only been walking around half a mile a day so I will be pushing myself to go the extra mile.

I am raising funds for Child Growth Foundation (CGF) which has been setup for parents of children who have been affected by growth conditions. It's a great forum where parents get support from each other from tips on which pen is best to use as some kids have needle phobia and places to buy school uniforms from as they're usually big for their kids (I can relate to this).

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for your donations. I will share updates on this page. More information on CGF: https://childgrowthfoundation.org/